Ponyboy and I had our first meet today. I'm nervous to be completely honest. I knew I was pretty good because I could beat all the other girls but that's just at our school. I had never competed against anyone in anything before. But I was ready.

I was at lunch. I was sitting with Pony, Johnny, and Two-bit. Joey won't let me sit with them anymore. She told me the next day after she saw Darry and I, so for the last few days I've sat with the boys. We were finishing our food when I saw Cherry walking over to our table.

"Hi Kaylee, I just wanted to wish you and Ponyboy good luck on your meet today," she said smiling.

"Thank you cherry. That means a lot," I paused and looked over at Joey. "How mad is she?"

"She's just hurt Kaylee. She'll come around one day. You and I are the only ones who truly know her. She'll come around." I nodded because I knew she was right. Cherry Valance was always right.

She set her hand on my shoulder. "For now just worry about your meet. Everything will be okay," she reassured me and then gave me a hug before heading back to her seat by Joey. I missed her. I missed both of them.

"You okay?" Two-bit asked.

"I miss them."

"You miss being a soc?"

"She never was a soc Two-bit. She just misses her friends," Ponyboy interrupted making me grin. He was right.

"I just miss my old friends Two, but I have new friends so it's okay."

He nodded and then shoved another bite of burger down his throat. I rolled my eyes at his lack of manners. The bell rang shortly after that and Ponyboy and I had to head to the bus to leave for meet. The meet was two hours away so we had to leave school early. Still, all of the boys were coming to watch us. I couldn't believe the amount of support I got from these guys.

We were an hour into the bus ride. I was honestly having a good time just talking to Ponyboy the whole time. He was so easy to talk to I think I could talk to him for days and not care.

"Okay, so you don't have to tell me who, but is there a guy in the gang you have a crush on?" Pony asked. I scrunched my nose and thought about it.

"I wouldn't necessarily call it a crush but there are a couple I'd go on a date with if they asked," I said honestly.

"Tell me!"

"Ponyboy,no. That's embarrassing," I laughed nervously. I told Ponyboy everything but I didn't want to tell him this.

"Come on Jo."

I looked out the window and thought a bit longer. "Fine," I gave in. "But stays between us okay?"

"Deal," he promised.

"Dally, Sodapop, and Darry," I said nervously. He laughed and I hit him in the chest.

"BOTH of my brothers!" He kept laughing. And his loud intense laugh. That was my favorite.

"Well for a while you were on that list too," I said. This made him stop laughing.

"I was?"

"Well yeah Ponyboy, you're cute and nice and you're my best friend. But that's exactly why you aren't anymore. I feel like we're too close and I don't want trying to be more to ruin that, you know?" I asked and he nodded showing me he understood.

"Yeah, I guess for a while I liked you a lot. But I guess as we got closer the same thing started happening." I nodded.

"So my turn. Do you think any of the boys like me?" I asked.

"I think they all do Jo," he said.

"No they don't!"

"Seriously! I'd be willing to bet that Sodapop asks you our first though. So if you like Darry or Dally more, you might want to make the first move."

I bit my lip and thought for a second. "I don't know which one," I said laughing a little. "Like I said I don't really have a crush on any of em. I'll just give it time and see if it turns into something."

"Just know you deserve a good guy. A great one." He playfully punched my shoulder.

"Oh yeah?" I asked rhetorically and punched him back.

"Yeah seriously. Have you dated anyone before?"

"No," I said quietly.

"You haven't? Have you ever kissed anyone?"

"Have you?"

"That doesn't count I'm two years younger than you," he said.

"No Ponyboy I've never-" he interrupted me by quickly pressing his lips to mine. I was shocked, of course, but calmed down and kissed him back. After a few seconds he pulled away.

"If you're gonna date my brother, or any member of the gang, I want to be your first kiss. Just in case he ends up being your last," he said with serious face and his hand gently resting on my leg. I didn't know what to say. I was still kinda shocked.

"Wow," I finally mumbled. He chuckled lightly.

"I wasn't too bad was I?"

"What?" I asked. "No no no, that was good it was good you were good," I said quickly and nervously.

"Sorry Jo." He said with a small smile still tugging on his lips.

"Don't apologize. I'm glad you were my first kiss."

He smiled and just about then the bus stopped signifying that we had arrived at our meet.

Here we go.